A method of managing entitlements to program content of a content delivery system is disclosed comprising receiving a request, from a user, by a processing device, to subscribe to a video package or to purchase a video program from the content delivery system. The user has at least one user device configured for watching the program content. At least one entitlement resulting from the subscription or purchase is calculated and connection information for each of the plurality of user devices is retrieved from database. The at least one calculated entitlement is pushed to each user device by the processing device, via a network, using the connection information. A system configured to implement the method and a video streaming device, such as a set-top box and a smart device, for example, are also disclosed. The smart device may be a smart phone or tablet, for example.

A method for broadcasting protected multimedia content includes, at predetermined intervals, having an access-rights server broadcast each new right of access to the broadcast multimedia content only to those terminals whose logins are included in a broadcast list. In response to a predetermined event, a terminal sends, to the access-rights server, via a point-to-point connection, a status message indicating, to the access-rights server, that the terminal is in its ready state. Alternatively, if the terminal is occupied, it avoids sending a status message. In the absence of reception of the status message that was expected in response to the predetermined event, the access-rights server automatically removes the identifier of the terminal from the broadcast list.

Certain embodiments provide a set top box, comprising: a processing entity configured to obtain data for a channel stacking switch, to obtain a security data element and to formulate a message for the channel stacking switch by combining the security data element with the data; a communications interface configured to send the message to channel stacking switch. Other embodiments provide a channel stacking switch, comprising: a communication interface configured to receive a message from a set top box; a processing entity configured to determine whether or not the message is legitimate and to take an action that depends on whether or not the message is legitimate. Still further embodiments provide a satellite signal receiving system comprising a channel stacking switch and at least one set top box in secure communication with the channel stacking switch.

Certain embodiments provide a set top box, comprising: a processing entity configured to obtain data for a channel stacking switch, to obtain a security data element and to formulate a message for the channel stacking switch by combining the security data element with the data; a communications interface configured to send the message to channel stacking switch. Other embodiments provide a channel stacking switch, comprising: a communication interface configured to receive a message from a set top box; a processing entity configured to determine whether or not the message is legitimate and to take an action that depends on whether or not the message is legitimate. Still further embodiments provide a satellite signal receiving system comprising a channel stacking switch and at least one set top box in secure communication with the channel stacking switch.

A digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of executing a function with a higher added value is provided. A broadcast receiving apparatus configured to receive broadcasting data on digital broadcasting is used. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a broadcast receiving unit configured to receive broadcasting data containing coded video data regarding a broadcasting program of the digital broadcasting and control information for the broadcasting program; a video decoding unit configured to decode the coded video data received by the broadcast receiving unit to reproduce program video information; a display unit configured to display the program video information reproduced by the video decoding unit; a communication unit configured to transmit viewing permission request data to a predetermined portable information terminal in a case where a broadcasting program that a user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view is a program on which viewing limit is to be imposed, the communication unit being configured to receive response data from the portable information terminal, the response data responding to the viewing permission request data; an authentication information storing unit configured to store terminal identification information and authentication information, the predetermined portable information terminal being allowed to be identified by the terminal identification information; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as not to limit viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where the response data received by the communication unit indicates a display permission response and both of terminal identification information and authentication information contained in the display permission response respectively coincide with the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit; and control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as to limit the viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where any of the terminal identification information and the authentication information contained in the display permission response does not coincide with corresponding one of the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit even though the response data received by the communication unit indicates the display permission response.

A digital broadcast receiving apparatus capable of executing a function with a higher added value is provided. A broadcast receiving apparatus configured to receive broadcasting data on digital broadcasting is used. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a broadcast receiving unit configured to receive broadcasting data containing coded video data regarding a broadcasting program of the digital broadcasting and control information for the broadcasting program; a video decoding unit configured to decode the coded video data received by the broadcast receiving unit to reproduce program video information; a display unit configured to display the program video information reproduced by the video decoding unit; a communication unit configured to transmit viewing permission request data to a predetermined portable information terminal in a case where a broadcasting program that a user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view is a program on which viewing limit is to be imposed, the communication unit being configured to receive response data from the portable information terminal, the response data responding to the viewing permission request data; an authentication information storing unit configured to store terminal identification information and authentication information, the predetermined portable information terminal being allowed to be identified by the terminal identification information; and a control unit. The control unit is configured to: control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as not to limit viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where the response data received by the communication unit indicates a display permission response and both of terminal identification information and authentication information contained in the display permission response respectively coincide with the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit; and control the video decoding unit or the display unit so as to limit the viewing of the broadcasting program that the user of the broadcast receiving apparatus desires to view in a case where any of the terminal identification information and the authentication information contained in the display permission response does not coincide with corresponding one of the terminal identification information and the authentication information stored in the authentication information storing unit even though the response data received by the communication unit indicates the display permission response.

The present invention allows the combination and adaptation of a broadcast data reception system with a Conditional Access System which may be embedded in the receiving device, such as a television, or can be provided as a module which is connected to the receiving device and which allows service provider controlled, typically cloud based, interactivity via the same CAS with different Multi Channel video programming distributors (MVPD) service providers.

Systems and methods for collecting audience measurement data using content protection signaling messages while playing back content are disclosed. One embodiment includes receiving content, where content is encrypted using at least one encryption key, receiving a content protection signaling message, where the content protection signaling message is associated with the content and includes a reference timestamp and decryption information associated with the content, processing the content protection signaling message to extract the reference timestamp and the decryption information and generating a message processing timestamp based on the time the content protection signaling message is processed, collecting audience measurement data and saving the audience measurement data into memory, where the audience measurement data includes the reference timestamp and message processing timestamp, recovering at least one decryption key using the decryption information, and decrypting the content using the at least one decryption key.

Systems and methods for collecting audience measurement data using content protection signaling messages while playing back content are disclosed. One embodiment includes receiving content, where content is encrypted using at least one encryption key, receiving a content protection signaling message, where the content protection signaling message is associated with the content and includes a reference timestamp and decryption information associated with the content, processing the content protection signaling message to extract the reference timestamp and the decryption information and generating a message processing timestamp based on the time the content protection signaling message is processed, collecting audience measurement data and saving the audience measurement data into memory, where the audience measurement data includes the reference timestamp and message processing timestamp, recovering at least one decryption key using the decryption information, and decrypting the content using the at least one decryption key.

A device protects an incoming multimedia signal with a protection that is controllable and configured for enabling or disabling an application for an interface protection on an outgoing signal coming from the incoming signal. An output interface is configured for delivering the outgoing signal on an output. An authorization process is performed for authorizing or otherwise a control over the enabling or disabling of the interface protection application depending on security rules.